Fighting youth drug abuse on all fronts

The Coastal Drug Awareness Campaign (CODAC) launched their eight page booklet at De Duine Secondary School last week.
Octavia Tsibes
Leandrea Louw

CODAC is a drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse awareness campaign spearheaded by offenders, ex-offenders and officers from the Walvis Bay Correctional Facility.

Their primary objective with the campaign is to of educating learners, parents, care givers, teachers, health professionals, business owners and community leaders to help youth reject illegal drugs and underage alcohol and tobacco use.

Inside the booklet, its talks about the negative effects of drugs, addiction, where to seek for help and how you can help someone who is on drugs.

Fabian Langenhoven, a convicted drug supplier, warned the learners: “I was a victim of circumstance, which led me to sell and supply drugs. Be mindful of the company you keep. The bible says bad company ruins bad morals. I had friends who also introduced me to robbery, another sentence I had to serve before I delved into the world of drug dealing. I had this huge responsibility on my shoulders after serving my first sentence, and I had to take care of my family. A lot of here are victims of circumstances, but don’t let that push you into drug and alcohol abuse. It only leads to two places, prison or death.”

He placed emphasis on the lifestyle music videos portray. “A lot of artists portray this lifestyle to increase their sales, yet, you feel this is the life you should be living, yet only ending up pregnant, and an alcohol or drug addict. They are portraying a lie.

“I was one of the biggest drug lords on the West Coast, but I’m not talking to you as that but as a child of God, who doesn’t want you to make the same mistakes I did.”

Langenhoven encouraged the learners to build their core foundation on Jesus Christ. “The word no is so short, yet so powerful, learn to use it. Your circumstances does not define you. Everyone has a purpose. There is so much power in your youth.”

Hubert Shikongo has been in prison from 2008, and fell into the drug trap while he was still at school. “I dreamt of becoming a nature conservationist and was an A grade student. I mixed with the wrong crowd, matriculated with only 18 points and my future in shambles.” He’s now pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Education, and hopes to acquire his Masters as well.

“Obey your parents and your teachers, recognize what type of friends or crowd are you hanging out with, do not be tempted by the guys with the ‘swag’. Report any form of abuse you come across, talk about it, otherwise you are simply condoning it. Go to church, mosque or sermons. We need God in our lives. Most importantly, finish your education, as you are the future leaders of tomorrow.”

Psychologist Ockert Jooste, who is currently serving a sentence for fraud, encouraged the learners to simply say no. “You are faced with choices every day. Learn to say no!”

Former Miss Teen Walvis Bay and the first youth ambassador for CODAC Aina Nghipuilepo, who is currently studying in Thailand, encouraged the learners to know who they are and where they are heading to. “Everyone has a purpose in life and it is important to know where you are heading to. Find your purpose, know who you are, and what your goals are and you won’t be tempted by anything that isn’t in line with where you are heading.”

The learners also signed anti-violence pledges from the #BreakFree 2#BeFree campaign headed by the First Lady of Namibia Monica Geingos. The CODAC helpline is 081 787 5434 or 081 385 3001.